Self-Supporting, High-Profile, Insect Net Enclosure

ABSTRACT

The self-supporting, high-profile, insect net enclosure with a water resistant fabric floor having advanced insect protection properties, with enhanced comfort, accessibility, and lightweight storage characteristics. The fabric is preferably impregnated with a long-lasting insecticide. Two resiliency flexible, segmented aluminum poles having two angles each, are held flexed on the inside with the endtips positioned in the reinforced lower corners on opposite sides, vertical portions bowed out as the poles cross diagonally at the end walls, and horizontal portions pushing up and tied in place at the midpoint along the top of the side walls, thereby forming the rectangular shape that supports the freestanding net enclosure. The net enclosure has a three zipper door opening at the center of a side wall and along the seam at the bottom. A fabric pouch sewn on the inside reverses and the net enclosure stores inside with poles for transportation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a portable, lightweight, self-supporting, tent-like, insect net enclosure. In particular the invention relates to a multi-purpose, self-supporting, high-profile, long-lasting insecticide treated insect net enclosure which has advanced insect protection properties and which is specifically adapted for use in both military medical field hospital operations and other applications in which protection from insects is desired. In preferred embodiments of the invention, components are adapted to provide multiple functions whereby the invention is particularly adapted for military medical field hospital applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This present invention improves upon several aspects of a class of canopies to protect a person from mosquitoes and other insects, using a mosquito net or other similar fabric to cover beds, cots, and the like, including their framework or supporting mechanism.

Typical canopy supports of the art are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 364,415; 800,530; 2,301,511; 2,841,803; and 6,715,168. Some type of suitable netting material is typically supported by a rigid frame. The patent by Hooper ('415) illustrates netting for a bed supported by four columns having bands or cords extending between columns to support the netting. The columns are held in place by feet inserted beneath the legs of the bed.

The Young patent ('530) discloses a rigid frame supporting a canopy. The posts are secured to the ends of the cot legs and rings connected to the side bars prevent the posts from falling away. Upper canopy side bars are removable and secured to the upper end of the posts on each side to properly stretch and hold in place the canopy material. The rigid frame remains attached to the cot when the cot is folded.

The Boyce patent ('511) discloses a mosquito bar rigid frame support at each end of a conventional array cot comprising vertical supporting rods each held in place by an upper supporting loop around the frame of the cot and a base loop around the lower end of a supporting leg. The top of the supporting rods have telescoping sleeves to receive a cross-bar. The insect bar is stretched from one end assembly to the other end assembly and secured by tying the fabric to the cot.

The Bodling patent ('803) is a tent constructed over a cot by providing a rigid frame located lengthwise above the center of the cot. Uprights at each end have pins at their lower ends adapted to be secured in vertical holes formed in the end rails of the cot. A hinged ridge pole at the top of the uprights provides support for the netting between the ridge pole and the lateral edges of the cot, similar to a pup-tent.

The Williams patent ('168) discloses a rectangular rigid frame of a plurality of square tubes that form side members along the length and cross members across the width of the top frame. A pair of T-shaped center fittings are provided for connecting a pair of the square tube side members near the center of the length of the top frame and connecting one square tube cross member extending across the width of the top frame. Double square corner fittings are provided for connecting the square tube side members to square tube cross members at each corner of the top frame.

Typical portable tents of the art are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,236,543, and 6,672,323. Although these tent structures utilize a flexible support system, they are different from the current invention, in that the flexible supports are either attached to the peripheral portions, or they are permanently affixed to the tent.

The Moss patent ('543) is a portable tent, comprising a flexible covering held tense to provide the shape of the shelter by two resiliency flexible pole members held in a flexed condition by peripheral portions of said side walls, each said pole member having the end portions thereof held respectively by front and rear peripheral portions of the same side wall to hold the pole member in an inverted generally U-shape, tensing said side walls horizontally and the central portion thereof held by the upper peripheral portion of the other side wall to hold the pole member in a bowed shape.

The Gupta patent ('323) is a self-erecting structure having resilient lower and upper support loops which provide it with shape and support. Fabric covers the support loops, and is permanently affixed to the support loops.

Due to the critical importance to provide military personnel protection against insect-borne diseases, the U.S. military currently issues several types of bednets. The standard insect net protector, (NSN 7210-00-266-9736), and (NSN 7210-01-520-7136) and the insect bar (NSN 7210-00-266-9740). These bednets have a variety of limitations associated with them, such as not being impregnated with a repellent, requiring four 36″ rigid poles to set-up, difficult to access, and not having a floor to be fully enclosed.

The Self-Supporting Low-Profile (SS-LP) bednet (NSN 3740-01-516-4415 [woodland green] and NSN 3740-01-518-7310 [coyote brown]) eliminates most of the limitations associated with the previously mentioned standard bednets. Based upon U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,323 by Gupta, it is a lightweight, self-contained bednet with an integral self supporting frame, that folds into a 12 inch diameter package. This bednet is intended for short-term use by rapidly deploy able mobile forces (e.g., Rangers, Special Forces, Infantry, etc.), however, it is not ideal for longer-term use by less mobile occupants (e.g., medical field hospital personnel or the wounded, etc.) due to it having a low-profile that can make it feel claustrophobic.

This present invention is directed to the protection of persons in an improved net enclosure that military personnel are willing to use on a routine and long-term basis. This improved net enclosure is designed to protect against all biting insects, with a mesh size large enough to permit air flow, a lack of which is the main reason why many military personnel will not use insect bednets, as well as having a high-profile that provides ample headroom to sit-up inside on top of a standard military cot.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to be constructed of no-see-um netting, and ripstop fabric material treated with an EPA-approved long-lasting insecticide that will maintain its physical and insecticidal integrity for at least 5 years of continuous use, and not require re-treatment with insecticide after washing or prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (UV radiation).

Another object of this present invention includes a self-contained water-resistant floor making it fully enclosed.

Another object of this present invention is that a standard military cot easily fits inside, with enough headroom that the occupant can comfortably sit-up on top of the cot.

Another object of this present invention is that it has an inverted “T” zippered entrance that can be operated from inside or outside the net enclosure that releases two flaps on one side that can be folded-back and secured opened to provide full accessibility.

Another object of this present invention is that it has a sectional frame designed to allow the individual components to easily fit together as an assembled unit so the entire net enclosure can be erected in less than five minutes, and disassembled and repackaged in under five minutes.

Another object of the present invention is that the net enclosure frame uses a minimum number of different components that are interconnected so that assembly and disassembly is easily achieved without errors.

Another object of this present invention is that it has a fabric pouch sewn inside to provide secure storage for loose items, and reverses to enable net enclosure with poles to be securely and compactly packaged inside for portability.

Another object of this present invention is that it weighs less than 4 pounds.

Another object of this present invention is that it is a freestanding net enclosure that retains its rectangular shape and stability primarily through the proportions of the flexible covering and two resiliency flexible poles on the inside, bowed and pushing-out, the self-supporting configuration of which is a focus of this invention.

A need exists to have a self-supporting flexible frame, to support a high-profile insect net enclosure, treated with a long-lasting insecticide to provide individualized protection from biting insects, such as mosquitoes, for wounded military personnel subject to prolong stays on cots in field hospitals, with the ability to sit-up, and other features to reduce a claustrophobic feeling. The frame should be easily assembled, lightweight, and flexible to support an insect net enclosure with good air circulation, high accessibility, to include installing a standard military cot, and an integral compact storage system.

The present invention can be utilized in many commercial, humanitarian, or disaster relief applications with equal functionality and effectiveness.

Further objects will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings included in and forming a part of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a self-supporting, lightweight, insect net enclosure with a novel storage method has been designed to provide numerous advantages over the structures and storage methods heretofore known. In particular, the structure in the present invention is self-supporting by two resiliently flexible, segmented aluminum poles. While these features are described in the prior art, the preferred embodiments of the present invention employ a support mechanism whereby the inverted U-shape poles are accentuated by two 115 degree angles equal distant from the endtips that are domed shaped and inserted into the reinforced lower inside corners of the net enclosure.

These poles are held in a flexed state by the proportions of the interior side walls, end walls and ceiling, with the vertical portions bowed-out as the poles cross diagonally at the end walls, and horizontal portions pushing up and tied in place at the midpoint along the top of the side walls with tie ribbons thereby increasing the tension to form the rectangular shape that supports the freestanding net enclosure.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabrics used on the structure are treated with a long-lasting insecticide substance, and include two portions, each of which has distinct beneficial qualities, in order to optimize the utility of the structure. In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the invention the floor portion is preferably made of a ripstop nylon taffeta treated with a water-resistant substance, whereas the upper portion of the fabric material is a no-see-um mesh material which provides protection from the smallest insect intrusion.

Further embodiments of the present invention, is that the net enclosure has a three zipper door opening, one vertically the full height at the center of a side wall and two along the seam at the bottom on the same side that open in opposite directions away from the center enabling two netting panels to be folded back from the bottom center and secured with “hook and loop” fastener tabs at exterior of both end walls to maintain a triangular shape door opening. This novel feature of the door being secured open along with high-profile walls, provides ease of installation of a standard military cot, superior accessibility to wounded occupants in a medical field hospital, enhanced ventilation, and the openness required to reduce potential claustrophobic feelings during prolong use.

The present invention is further enhanced by the inclusion of an integrated fabric pouch sewn on the inside for the occupant to store personal items, that reverses for the net enclosure to fold-in with the collapsed poles for storage that includes a “hook and loop” fastener to secure closed, thus providing a novel storage method not previously known.

Preferably, the poles are each formed by a plurality of aluminum alloy segments that are detachably and inter-fitted whereby being tubular with an insert element extending from an end portion thereof and designed to fit within an end portion of the adjacent segment, the respective segments of each pole member being interconnected by an elastic “shock-cord” running through the inside. In this way, the alignment of the respective segments will be maintained while in storage or transport, and the pole segments will be held together during assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the Drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention showing invention in a fully closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention showing invention in a fully open configuration;

FIG. 2 a is an enlarged view of a corner portion of the net enclosure of FIG. 2 showing a pole endtip in a reinforced corner pocket;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the pole members in an assembled flexed condition with the fabric portions removed of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partly broken away, illustrating a connecting portion of the pole segments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partly broken away, similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the interconnecting and flexible nature of the “shock-cord”.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partly broken away, illustrating a 115 degree angle connecting portion of the pole members of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, illustrating the storage pouch with the net enclosure and poles of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 inside.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the fully closed configuration of the self-supporting net enclosure 10 designed to accommodate a single person with enough headroom to sit-up inside on top of a military style cot, being lightweight and easily transportable making it ideal for military applications, disaster relief, humanitarian needs, as well as for recreational use.

The net enclosure 10 being impregnated with a long-lasting insecticide includes a flexible no-see-um netting fabric covering having two side walls 12, two end walls 14, and a ceiling 16; a flexible ripstop nylon taffeta floor 18, and is a self-supporting structure in that it does not require suspension lines to hold its shape or to maintain stability.

More specifically, the opposing side walls 12, opposing end walls 14, the ceiling 16 and the floor 18, hold their shape as they are pushed-out by two resiliently flexible, segmented aluminum poles 20 and 22, having two 115 degree angles each 24, held in a flexed condition by the proportions of the side walls, end walls, floor, ceiling, and poles, as each pole having a domed endtip 26, is positioned in the reinforced corners 28 on opposite side walls 12, the vertical portions bowed-out as the poles cross diagonally at the end walls 14, and the horizontal portions bowed-up, being secured in place with tie ribbons 30 at the midpoint along the top of the side walls 12, thereby forming the rectangular shape that supports the freestanding net enclosure 10.

The segmented aluminum poles 20 and 22 are initially straight, having two 115 degree angles each 24, but are bowed-out along their vertical and horizontal portions, being held in a resiliently flexed inverted U-shape position, that causes a tensing of the side walls 12 and the end walls 14, and the ceiling 16 both vertically and horizontally, and the floor 18 horizontally at the four reinforced corners 28. Tie ribbon loops 32 sewn on the exterior of the four top corners provide an alternative “back-up” method of suspension in absence of the flexible poles.

The front side wall 12 has a door opening that includes three reversible zippers 38, 40, and 42 configured in an inverted “T”, each having zipper sliders 44 operable from either inside or outside the net enclosure, and “hook” tabs 52 in the corners that allow the door flaps to be pulled back and secured to “loop” tabs 54 at the end walls. A ripstop nylon taffeta pouch 56 having a “hook and loop” fastener 58, is sewn on the inside to provide storage for the occupant's personal items and reverses to store the net enclosure 10 with poles 20 and 22 for transportation.

FIG. 2 illustrates the open configuration of the self-supporting net enclosure 10 showing its front side wall 12 having the two separable door flaps 34 and 36 of netting material pulled-back and secured open to the end walls 12 with “hook and loop” tabs 52 and 54 providing full accessibility.

FIG 2 a is an enlarged cut away view that illustrates how one of the domed endtips 26 of the segmented aluminum poles 20 and 22 is positioned in one of the four reinforced corners 28 of the net enclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, these reinforced corners are constituted by a heavy denier nylon fabric cut into triangular shapes and sewn at the four corners of the floor, and rectangular shapes sewn on the walls at the lower corners of the net enclosure 10. These two pieces form the reinforced pocket when the floor is sewn to the walls.

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred construction of the segmented aluminum poles 20 and 22 in the flexed condition. The pole members are each formed by a plurality of respective segments 60, each preferably made from a resiliently flexible aluminum alloy.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the pole segments 60 are detachable and inter-fitted by a tubular insert portion 62 that extends from one end of respective segment and of a diameter to fit snugly within an open end portion of an adjacent segment 60. The elastic “shock-cord” 64 running through the inside of the pole members interconnects adjacent segments, pulling them together to hold securely when assembled and maintaining their respective positions when disassembled.

FIG. 5 illustrates how the pole segments 60 are designed to be collapsible for convenient storage and transport yet to be quickly and easily assembled.

FIG. 6 illustrates how the 115 degree angles 24 with tubular inserts 62 and the elastic “shock-cord” running through 64 connect to adjacent pole segments 60, and form the top corners of the net enclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates how the ripstop nylon taffeta pouch 56 with a “hook and loop” fastener 58 conveniently and securely packages the net enclosure 10, with the poles 20 and 22 for ease of transport.

As illustrated herein, the new high-profile net enclosure structure and the attached novel method of storage provide features not heretofore available in the known art. As such the occupant can sit-up on a cot inside the net enclosure having a zippered door that can be held open to provide full accessibility along the side, with a sewn-on storage pouch inside to store personal items, that reverses to package the net enclosure with the poles. The long-lasting insecticide treatment is not a feature of current military issued insect nets that enclose cots. Notwithstanding all of these advantages over the known apparatus, the overall spaciousness, ventilation and accessibility features provide psychological comfort needed by the occupants required to stay for long-durations under an insect net enclosure.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is to be understood, that the invention is intended to be defined and limited by the appended claims. Additionally, while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. 

1. A portable and lightweight, self-supporting, high-profile, net enclosure comprised of a fabric membrane having opposing side walls, end walls, floor, and ceiling pushed out by two resiliency flexible, segmented aluminum poles having two angles each, held in flexed condition by the proportions of said side walls, end walls, floor, ceiling, and poles; each said pole having domed endtips thereof positioned in the reinforced lower corners on opposite side walls, the vertical portions bowed-out as the poles cross diagonally at the end walls, and horizontal portions bowed-up and tied in place with tie ribbons at the midpoint along the top of the side walls, thereby forming the rectangular shape that supports the freestanding net enclosure, with a fabric pouch sewn inside for storage.
 2. A net enclosure according to claim 1, said side walls, end walls, and ceiling being constituted by netting, said side walls each vertical having a slight arch along the top due to bend in horizontal portion of said poles, said end walls each vertical having a slight contour which bows outwardly at the center portions thereof due to bend in the vertical portion of said poles, said net enclosure having tie loops on the exterior at the top four corners, and further including a zipper door opening on one said side wall whereby said net enclosure may be readily accessed.
 3. A net enclosure according to claim 1, wherein said side walls, end walls, and ceiling being constituted by netting that is substantially impermeable to insects.
 4. A net enclosure according to claim 1, wherein said side walls, end walls, and ceiling being constituted by netting that is treated with a long-lasting insecticide repellent substance.
 5. A net enclosure according to claim 1, wherein said floor and pouch being constituted by water resistant material.
 6. A net enclosure according to claim 1, wherein said floor and pouch being constituted by a fabric treated with a water repellant substance.
 7. A net enclosure according to claim 1, wherein said floor and pouch being constituted by a fabric treated with a long-lasting insecticide repellent substance.
 8. A net enclosure according to claim 1, wherein said lower corners are reinforced with a durable fabric material to prevent puncture by said poles.
 9. A net enclosure according to claim 1, is sized to accommodate a military cot used in a field hospital, with headroom inside to allow occupant to comfortably sit up on the cot.
 10. A net enclosure according to claim 1, wherein said tie ribbons being constituted by a fabric readily able to loosen and retie.
 11. A net enclosure according to claim 2, wherein said tie ribbon loops at the exterior of the four top corners, being constituted by a fabric readily able to support net enclosure as a “back-up” alternative in absence of said poles.
 12. A net enclosure according to claim 2, wherein said zipper door opening being constituted of three reversible zippers, having one vertically the full height at the center of a said side wall and two along the seam at the bottom on the same side that open in opposite directions away from the center in an inverted “T” configuration.
 13. A net enclosure according to claim 12, wherein said zipper door opening being constituted of two netting panels that can be folded back from bottom center and secured with hook and loop fastener tabs to the exterior of both end walls to maintain a triangular shape door opening.
 14. A net enclosure according to claim 13, wherein said triangular shape door opening is sized to easily insert military cot, and provide access to a wounded occupant requiring medical assistance.
 15. A net enclosure according to claim 1, or 2, comprising two resiliently flexible, segmented aluminum poles having two 115 degree angles each, being held in an inverted generally U-shape flexed condition by the proportions of said side walls, end walls, floor, ceiling, and poles, that cause said bottom reinforced corners of the floor to be pushed-out.
 16. A net enclosure according to claim 15, wherein said poles are each formed by a plurality of segments that are inter-fitted and detachable.
 17. A net enclosure according to claim 16, each of said segments being tubular with an insert element extending from an end portion thereof and designed to fit within an end portion of the adjacent segment.
 18. A net enclosure according to claim 17, wherein said segments being formed from an aluminum alloy.
 19. A net enclosure according to claim 17, wherein said insert elements being tubular, the respective segments of each pole member being interconnected by an elastic “shock-cord” running through the inside.
 20. A net enclosure according to claim 1, wherein said fabric pouch sewn inside net enclosure being reversible to store said net enclosure inside, sized to fit said collapsible poles, and having a hook and loop fastener to secure closed. 